The city of Vicksburg, Mississippi, has temporarily shut down its computer systems after a ransomware attack, according to Mayor Willis Thompson. In a statement published Thursday evening, Thompson said the attack did not affect emergency services but did disrupt payments for utilities.
Thompson said the city is investigating with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, state officials, and private cybersecurity experts. He added that no services will be cut off and no late penalties will be issued while the investigation continues. The city has not disclosed any ransom demands or the identity of the attackers, and it declined to release technical details that could interfere with the response.
A key focus of the investigation is whether personal or confidential information belonging to customers, employees, vendors, or partners was accessed. The city has not yet reached a final determination. The incident follows other ransomware attacks on Mississippi institutions, including a major attack on the University of Mississippi Medical Center and a previous strike on an electricity utility.